My inspiration process

Quite a few people have asked me over the last year if I could document how I go about organising the photo shoots for our seasonal birdmotel shop-a-log.

The process actually all starts about five months before the final product hits the site. I am a voracious consumer of overseas magazines and I trawl the web constantly, sites like style.com, and the sartorialist, so I usually already have some idea about themes and stories I would like to create before I go to showings.


Look books and my collage page for the first shoot I have planned for spring...

Once I have everyone’s look books, I literally tear them apart! I also keep a scrapbook going, where I collage clippings and ephemera together. I have always used collage to help me explore ideas, and I find it so useful for pulling together colour combinations, or creating a vibe that is often difficult to express without the aid of pictures.

At the same time, I have my eyes open and on the look out for great locations for our shoots. I may see a building, a grassy knoll, a rock, a wall, an alley, an apartment or house space that has shoot potential. But it may be months before it would suit a particular story.

The first shoot on the agenda for spring is one inspired by rich 70s colours, a bit hippie, and a bit oriental. I found the location about a month ago, and last weekend went to take a few low-fi pictures for my own reference, and to talk through each shot and it’s corresponding outfit with my husband and photographer, Daniel.


The chosen location snapped on camera phone!

And with the model also chosen and booked, it starts to come together.

Right now, high on my agenda is scouring second hand stores for additional props and styling touches.

Stay tuned…

In the swim...

Brigitte Bardot works a cotton bikini in "The Night Heaven Fell"

On the first day of winter, I do have to get serious about swimwear. I have so far seen every shape, size, colour and print imaginable, and I need to start locking away all my summer swim orders.

It has got me thinking about what the "real girl" actually wants and needs in a cossie. If you have the time, I’d love some feedback on what styles you like best.

Are you a bikini or a one-piece type of girl? Do you like a bandeau, halter neck or the more straightforward triangle shape for your bikini top? And on bottom it gets even more confusing; ranging from the everyday basic brief shape, tie-side with strings, the low-slung boy leg, or would you wear the really cut-away on the bum shape, like an Australian style Brazilian.

Then there is print or no print? Or is a plain colour always the winner?

I personally searched high and low for a black one-piece last year. It had to be halter neck, with a low V front sitting just about the navel, and a boy cut low leg. I had no luck at all! Good thing then that Tigerlily has one in this season’s range that is almost identical to that ideal I have been carrying around in my head for almost a year.

So guess I’m sorted…what do you guys want?

Jo xo

Press Clippings

Happy first day of winter everyone!

Here are some super cute shots of two key winter pieces...and the best news is, they are both on sale on the birdmotel website! Above is the navy jersey Trapeze Jacket by Tigerlily as featured in Shop Til You Drop magazine. Below is the pin-striped denim skirt called the Men At Work Pencil with Braces by Milk and Honey. I think it looks totally hot with that mega-bright skivvy.